Several weeks ago, to lessen the blow of the untimely death of Miss C’s second betta fish, Violet, we took the girls to the local snake and fish shop. Unfortunately it is the site of the traumatic baby chicken caiman feeding episode of 2009 and I can’t quite enter the store without replaying the whole beady eyed slow motion nightmare. I will never be able to look at fuzzy baby chicks again without seeing an imaginary blinking neon sign above their heads flashing GATOR TREAT! CRISPY ON THE OUTSIDE, CHEWY IN THE MIDDLE!
We came home with a red-shelled hermit crab and enough sand to create a mini habitat fit for a queen. Miss C insisted her new crab friend was a girl, although we have no idea what gender she is nor do I want to research how to determine the sex of a hermit crab, and she was named Ariel from The Little Mermaid.
Ariel was pretty lethargic, though, from the very onset of her homecoming and I started to fret about her fragile mental state. Hermit crabs aren’t known for their speed and agility, but she just seemed a little too content to stay in her hermit crab faux stone cave all day long.
Was she, could she be, lonely?
While the girls were at our parents Valentine’s Day weekend, the hubby played ultimate matchmaker for Ariel and brought home two virile, studly hermit crabs. He’s been researching hermit crab behavior and habitats and read that they do like company. I thought his hermit crab research was over until he walked up to me the other night and quite seriously asked, “Do you know what hermit crabs really like?” I wasn’t sure what he was going to say since he has already hooked them up with a sea sponge, a heater, a thermometer, and a humidity sensor to ensure that their crab habitat is sufficiently toasty and tropical. He’s even wrapped the lid of their habitat with plastic wrap, with strategically cut holes, to boost the moisture level. Honestly I was beginning to wonder about his hermit crab obsession. I’ve now dubbed him the crab whisperer.
It turns out he’d read that hermit crabs love bananas and he sliced a few small pieces that he and the girls placed them throughout the crab habitat. Ariel really livened up. Maybe she just had a potassium deficiency and she’ll start showing Neptune and Sebastian a little more attention. Come to think of it, I did catch her snuggling with Sebastian the other day in the crab cave.
Wait a minute, hermit crabs don’t mate do they?
My aunt has always had hermit crabs. I remember when my uncle was in college he came home to my grandparents one time while we were visiting, and I woke up in the middle of the night hearing creatures scuttling in a dresser drawer. Shudder.
When their daughter was about 3 they got hermit crabs for her. One of them was named “Abercrombie” and one of them was named “Sarah Elizabeth Betsy.” It was a hoot to hear her say their names.
.-= EG´s last blog ..Sprouty Goodness =-.
I am very impressed with your hubby. We’ve never had hermit crabs, only beta fish. I can;t take care of anything other than people, so they passed away, unfortunately.
I love this blog!!!
Please, Please don’t let my boys know. They’ve been asking for crabs for months.
.-= Shannanb aka Mommy Bits´s last blog ..Help a Girl Out
Reading about your husband’s “research” made me laugh at loud. I’m sitting next to a 72 gallon tropical fish tank because of my husband’s “research.” This hobby started as a 10 gallon tank with goldfish left over from my sister’s wedding center pieces. Tim is very concerned that the fish have the best life we can offer them encased in glass. Did I mention, he also gave my 4 months old daughter a beta? I don’t think she can even get her hands around the jar of fish food.
My kids always want a hermit crab. Mean Mom says no, not another living thing in this house needing a piece of me!
It’s a good thing the picture is right at the top because girl…I about died laughing when I read this! 🙂
~K
.-= Kel´s last blog ..Male Rooster =-.
Ariel! Of course. What better name for a crab? About the banana, I’m thinking she’s saying: “Look at this fruit, isn’t it neat? Wouldn’t you think my crab cave’s complete? … ”
.-= Stacia´s last blog ..Where the Ladybug Sleeps =-.
In the house that I grew up with, we always had little crabby pets. My sister Jenna was crazy for those hermits! And yes, I’m pretty sure they do mate. Don’t turn your back on them for one second! 🙂
.-= designHer Momma´s last blog .."I Learned it from Watching You" =-.
LOL at the “Part of Your World” part.
Is there anyway to neuter a crab? lol. Look at the bright side, crabs are edible. 😀
I seriously LOL’d at this post. You are hilarious, girl. And Ariel has 2 boyfriends? Lucky crab.
Their names are perfect!
.-= Rebecca at Toothwhale´s last blog ..Recipe and food blog links =-.